Go Back
New Orleans Style King Cake with cinnamon swirl ready for Mardi Gras celebration

New Orleans Style King Cake with Cinnamon Swirl

This delightful King Cake features a soft, sweet dough and a rich cinnamon filling, perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for dough)
Filling Ingredients
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for filling)
Icing Ingredients
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk or water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons colored sanding sugar (purple, green, and gold) for decoration
  • 1 small plastic baby optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. In another bowl, mix the remaining sugar, eggs, softened butter, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and 3 cups of flour, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Gradually add the rest of the flour.
  3. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it is smooth.
  4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
  5. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, and melted butter to form a paste for the filling.
Shaping and Baking
  1. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Brush it with melted butter, spread the filling over it, then roll it into a log. Shape the log into a ring.
  2. Put the ring on a baking sheet, cover it, and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  3. Bake for 25-35 minutes until it is golden brown. Let it cool on a wire rack.
  4. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
  5. Slice the cake into thick pieces and serve at room temperature.

Notes

Store the leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month. When kneading the dough, add a bit of flour if it feels too sticky.